Israeli army returns fire into Syria after troops shot at on Golan HeightsDecember 3, 2013 - 12:40 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Israeli army fired into Syria on Monday, December 2 after its troops were shot at on the occupied Golan Heights, the military said, according to Reuters. "Gunfire was opened from Syria towards IDF (Israel Defense Forces) soldiers in the central Golan Heights. The force retaliated towards the threat and a hit was confirmed," a military statement said. There were no Israeli casualties in the incident. An Israeli military source said that the brief exchange of fire happened near the Quneitra border crossing and that the Israeli troops said they were fired on by a Syrian soldier. The army was still checking whether its troops were the target of the gunfire, the source said. Hours earlier a Syrian mortar shell landed in the Druze village of Majdal Shams on the Israeli-held Golan, near Israel's security fence. No casualties were reported. Fire from the Syrian civil war has occasionally spilled over into the Golan, which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Middle East war. Israel annexed the strategic plateau in 1981 in a move that was not internationally recognized. Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |